Vehicle registration exemptions - Maine

Off-road vehicles

See citations below for more details.

Government vehicles

• Vehicles owned or used by fire departments.
  • Vehicles owned or used exclusively by municipal fire departments or volunteer fire associations as defined in Title 30-A, section 3151 are exempt from registration requirements and registration fees. The Secretary of State shall register vehicles owned or used exclusively by a municipal fire department or a volunteer fire association upon request of the municipality or volunteer fire association. Vehicles owned or used by municipal fire departments or volunteer fire associations are not exempt from the inspection requirements of chapter 15, subchapter I.
• Federal government vehicles.
  • The Secretary of State may issue registration certificates and plates without fee to federal or other governmental agencies, vehicles owned by the Federal Government used under lease to a Maine resident must be registered in this State.

A vehicle engaged, directly or through a contractor, exclusively in construction or maintenance work for the Federal Government, the State, a county, a municipality or an Indian tribe

See citations below for more details.

Antique farm tractors

Farm tractors or farm equipment at least 25 years old, as determined by the model year, are exempt from registration requirements and registration fees when used for demonstrations, ceremonies, parades or organized charitable events.

Vehicles owned by organized veterans groups and used solely for ceremonial activities

Vehicles owned by an organized veterans group and used exclusively for ceremonial activities, including parades, are exempt from registration requirements and registration fees. These vehicles must be inspected pursuant to chapter 15, subchapter I.

For purposes of this section, “organized veterans group” means the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars or an organized league of veterans of the United States Marine Corps.

Special mobile equipment

Special mobile equipment that is used exclusively on the closed portion of a public way for the limited purposes of constructing or repairing that public way and that is transported by another vehicle to and from the construction project is exempt from registration.

For purposes of this exemption, “special mobile equipment” does not include a vehicle that may be used for the conveyance of property except:

• Conveying hand tools or parts used in connection with the operation of that equipment; or
• Road construction or maintenance machinery transporting earth on that portion of the highway under construction.

Special equipment

Registration is not required when special equipment is used solely:

• On that part of a public way adjoining the premises of the owner; or
• For farm purposes, and public way use is limited to travel from or to:
  • The premises where the equipment is kept;
  • A farm lot and between farm lots used for farm purposes by the owner; or
  • A filling station or garage for fuel or repairs.

Emergency vehicles

If registered in another jurisdiction and operating in Maine due to a declared emergency are exempt from further registration requirements.

Other

• Tractors used for farming.
  • Registration or a license is not required for a tractor or trailer used solely for farming purposes when operated to or from:
    • The premises where kept;
    • A farm lot and between farm lots, when used for farm purposes; or
    • A filling station or garage for fuel or repairs.
• Log skidder.
  • Registration is not required for a log skidder used solely for logging purposes when operated to or from:
    • The premises where kept and a woodlot, or between woodlots used for logging purposes; or
    • A filling station or garage for fuel or repairs.
• Tractors used for logging.
  • Registration is not required for a converted motor vehicle used as a tractor when used solely for logging purposes when operated to or from:
    • The premises where the tractor is kept;
    • A woodlot and between woodlots used for logging purposes; or
    • A filling station or garage for fuel or repairs.
• Tow dollies.
  • Registration is not required for a tow dolly.

Citations

• 29-A M.R.S. 510 Exemption from registration
• 29-A M.R.S. 354 Off-road vehicles
• 29-A M.R.S. 517 Government vehicles
• 29-A M.R.S. 556 Exemptions    
• 29-A M.R.S. 517-B Registration exemption for antique farm tractors used in demonstrations, parades, ceremonies and organized charitable events
• 29-A M.R.S. 517-A Registration exemption for vehicles owned by veterans groups and used exclusively for ceremonial activities
• 29-A M.R.S. 513 Special mobile equipment
• 29-A M.R.S. 520 Special equipment
• 29-A M.R.S. 518 Emergency vehicles